Animal Adoptability Assessment Specialist

Job Description:

Animal Adoptability Assessment Specialist

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

ANIMAL ADOPTABILITY ASSESSMENT SPECIALIST

SALARY INFORMATION

In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive a salary range increase on the following date:

Effective June 27, 2025 - 4.00% increase

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment will establish an open eligible list to fill current and future Animal Adoptability Assessment Specialist vacancies within OC Community Resources/OC Animal Care. The eligible list established may also be used to fill similar and/or lower-level classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as this recruitment will close on October 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM (PT).

OC ANIMAL CARE
OC Animal Care promotes responsible pet ownership, the health and safety of people and animals, and spay/neuter programs. OC Animal Care provides temporary shelter and medical care for "lost" owned or stray animals and opportunities for the adoption of these animals.

For more information on OC Community Resources click on the link.
For more information on the County of Orange click on the link.

THE OPPORTUNITY
OC Animal Care provides animal care and control to 14 cities and county unincorporated areas and impounds over 10,000 animals annually. In addition, OC Animal Care is experiencing increased intakes with decreased adoptions. The Animal Adoptability Assessment Specialists will be essential in assisting the Shelter Services Team with managing the shelter's population, assessing adaptability, and developing pathways for all animals entering the shelter. Incumbents will participate in the development, tracking, coordination, and documentation of assessment and enrichment efforts for animals exhibiting behavioral or other concerns impacting adaptability. Incumbents will be responsible for drafting enrichment and shelter pathways to support the adoptability assessment process.

Primary duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conduct assessments in-person and through a review of documented information.
• Create enrichment and behavior plans to support the successful assessment of an animal's adoptability.
• Track and maintain detailed records of actions taken and behavioral observations.
• Research industry standards with regard to adoptability assessments; create written procedures and protocols for review and approval by management.
• Assist staff with the handling of fractious, unsocialized, or aggressive animals as needed.
• Support ongoing staff and volunteer trainings. Help create and implement new trainings as needed.

OC Animal Care provides municipal sheltering and field services to the public and may house a variety of domestic or wild animals. Incumbents should be comfortable caring for and handling animals such as dogs, cats, small mammal pets, reptiles, livestock, wildlife indigenous to Orange County, and non-native exotic animals; as well as other animal species which may be housed at the OC Animal Care Shelter. Housed animals exhibit a variety of temperaments and may not always be cooperative during handling, care, or medical treatments.

Work Schedule: Incumbents should be prepared to work rotating shifts, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays on a four day per week, 10 hours per day schedule, or five day per week, 8 hours per day schedule, or another schedule as assigned. Incumbents may be drafted for mandatory overtime in the event of an emergency, disaster, or during periods of unexpected staffing shortages.

CORE COMPETENCIES
Successful candidates will possess the knowledge and/or experience in the following core competencies:

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

• Working with computers and computer programs such as Chameleon, Microsoft Word and Outlook and is able to read, understand, and implement academic material
• Demonstrating strong writing skills
• Working knowledge of the animal control or animal welfare industry
• Working experience in animal behavioral evaluation or assessment
• Handling of domestic or wild animals including maintenance and care
• Maintaining sufficient content and knowledge to perform all aspects of the job effectively

ORAL COMMUNICATION & WRITING SKILLS

• Exchanging accurate and concise information with others both orally and in writing
• Relaying confidence when communicating information; clearly and concisely composes written documents to convey information with accuracy
• Following written and oral instruction effectively
• Interpreting and applying oral/written instructions
• Listening actively to others for full understanding of what is being communicated
• Communicating with members of the public in a variety of situations displaying social skill, awareness, and tact

CUSTOMER SERVICE & PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS

• Providing courteous and professional customer service to all clients
• Applying knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services including complex problem solving to manage stressful situations effectively
• Applying knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, and other office procedures and terminology
• Anticipating and meeting customer (internal/external) needs in all situations

ORGANIZING & PLANNING SKILLS

• Demonstrating organizing and planning skills to ensure high productivity and efficiency
• Working independently and managing time to effectively prioritize multiple and competing tasks
• Meeting departmental and project goals and deadlines by prioritizing workload and projects

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

• Managing and guiding group efforts effectively by influencing, motivating, guiding and directing others toward meeting business objectives
• Mentoring, training, and providing appropriate level of feedback

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here for the complete classification description for Animal Adoptability Assessment Specialist including the minimum qualifications.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.

Online Assessment | (Weighted 100%)
An online assessment consisting of job-related questions will be administered. Candidates who pass this test will be placed on the eligible list.

Based on the Department's needs, the recruitment procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related recommendations.
Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION:
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Jenny Kim at Jenny.Kim@occr.ocgov.com .

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: 10/7/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$57,387.20 - $77,355.20 Annually